CH-π € interaction driven macroscopic property transition on smart polymer surface

Abstract

Life systems have evolved to utilize weak noncovalent interactions, particularly CH-π € interaction, to achieve various biofunctions, for example cellular communication, immune response, and protein folding. However, for artificial materials, it remains a great challenge to recognize such weak interaction, further transform it into tunable macroscopic properties and realize special functions. Here we integrate monosaccharide-based CH-π € receptor capable of recognizing aromatic peptides into a smart polymer with three-component " Recognition-Mediating-Function" design, and report the CH-π € interaction driven surface property switching on smart polymer film, including wettability, adhesion, viscoelasticity and stiffness. Detailed studies indicate that, the CH-π € interaction induces the complexation between saccharide unit and aromatic peptide, which breaks the initial amphiphilic balance of the polymer network, resulting in contraction-swelling conformational transition for polymer chains and subsequent dramatic switching in surface properties. This work not only presents a new approach to control the surface property of materials, but also points to a broader research prospect on CH-π € interaction at a macroscopic level.